COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Board of Regents of the Texas A&M University System on Monday authorized Texas A&M President Michael K. Young to execute an employment contract with Jimbo Fisher to coach the Fightin‘ Texas Aggie Football team.

Fisher’s contract will call for $7.5 million a year for 10 years, fully guaranteed.

“This is one of the worst kept secrets in athletics,” said Charles Schwartz, chairman of the Board of Regents. “It is also an extraordinary hire for Texas A&M.”

Fisher, who resigned last week from Florida State University, won a national championship with the team in 2014. He made a name for himself as one of the country’s premiere coaches after taking over eight years ago for the legendary coach Bobby Bowden.

Chancellor John Sharp said Texas A&M has the best facilities, the best stadium and now the best available coach in the nation.

“Today, the Jimbo Fisher Era begins at Texas A&M,” Chancellor Sharp said. “Coach Fisher is one of the top minds in the game. I am excited to welcome him to Aggieland, and I am eager to see his impact on the gridiron and on the campus.”

About The Texas A&M University System

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $4.55 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities and seven state agencies, the Texas A&M System educates more than 148,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $972 million in FY 2016 and helped drive the state’s economy.